Garden State Equality to mark Third Year of New Jersey's failed Civil Union Law with 'Demolish the Divide'

Garden State Equality
February 6, 2010
Join Garden State Equality at rallies, marches and free dinners across New Jersey from Wednesday night, February 17, 2010 through Monday night, February 22, 2010 to mark the three-year anniversary of New Jersey's failed civil union law.

The schedule for DEMOLISH THE DIVIDE! is below.

Remember, to win marriage equality in the court of law, we must continue our campaign in the court of public education.

No tickets, no RSVP required. Just show up and please spread the word by emailing your friends and colleagues and by posting on list servs, blogs and Facebook.

Questions? Press, contact Chair Steven Goldstein at Goldstein@GardenStateEquality.org or cell (917) 449-8918. Members, contact Field Manager Troy Stevenson at Stevenson@GardenStateEquality.org or cell (405) 802-8229.

The schedule for DEMOLISH THE DIVIDE:

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 7:00 pm, Collingswood. Meet at 7:00 pm for a rally at the Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike. We'll then do a candlelight march through Collingswood, ending at Cafe Antonio in downtown Collingswood for a free pizza dinner. This event is in the district of Senator Jim Beach, who abstained on the marriage equality bill.

Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 7:00 pm, Montclair. Meet at 7:00 pm for a rally at Bnai Keshet Reconstructionist Synagogue, 99 Fullerton Avenue. We'll then do a candlelight march through Montclair, ending at the Lower Lounge in downtown Montclair for a free pizza dinner. This event is in the district of Senator Nia Gill, a sponsor and great champion of the marriage equality bill.

Friday, February 19, 2010 at 7:00 pm, Asbury Park. Meet at 7:00 pm in front of Garden State Equality's Asbury Park office, 658 Cookman Avenue. From there we'll do a candlelight march through downtown Asbury Park, past the law office of Senator Sean Kean and then onto the Brickwall restaurant for a free dinner. This event is in the district of Senator Sean Kean, who voted no on the marriage equality bill.

Monday, February 22, 2010 at 6:00 pm, Trenton (note time). Meet at 6:00 pm in front of the Hughes Justice Complex, 25 Market Street, where we'll hold a candlelight vigil on the plaza. From there we'll do a candlelight march through Trenton, ending the evening at Covello’s Pizza in downtown Trenton for a free pizza dinner. Note: This event is in the district of Senator Shirley Turner, who voted no on the marriage equality bill. [Link]

New Jersey's civil union law took effect on February 22, 2007.Through waivers of the waiting period, the first couples got civil unioned on February 19, 2007.

Marriage Equality USA: Events taking place during National Freedom to Marry Month

Marriage Equality USA
February 6, 2010
A listing of official Marriage Equality USA events, or events authorized by Marriage Equality USA Chapters or member organizations, taking place in various California locations. [Link]

Voice for Equality: Rev. Albert Pennybacker

The Reverend Albert Pennybacker is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and serves as Religious Advisor to the Kentucky Fairness Alliance (kentuckyfairness.org). He served for over thirty-five years as a pastor in local congregations including Taftville Congregational Church in Norwich, Connecticut and Central Christian Church in Shaker Heights, Ohio. His concluding pastoral service for over 16 years was as Senior Minister of the University Christian Church, Fort Worth, Texas. In the summer of 2000 he returned to Texas as the summer pastor for the Creekwood Christian Church of Flower Mound in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Currently he is active as a consultant to religious and community bodies in ecumenical and interfaith relations as well as on public policy issues. Learn more here.

On February 2, 2010, an Op-Ed piece by Rev. Pennybacker appeared in the Louisville, KY Courier-Journal challenging the positions held by the Catholic Archbishop of Louisville and other religious leaders that the freedom to marry is in opposition to "a received truth from God." Rev. Pennybacker wrote:

The sad truth is that religious bodies have done more than any other single force to stigmatize and demean people over their sexual orientation. The current opposition to same-sex marriage is one more example. It is simply duplicitous for those holding that view to claim “we embrace the dignity of those with same-sex orientation.” It is not unlike the frequent disclaimer “we hate the sin but love the sinner.” How ingenuous! Remember, those religious leaders who hold to such opposition are the ones who also oppose legal abortion, divorce, embryonic stem cell research, the use of contraceptives and any living together outside of marriage. It is a flawed religious mind-set toward all human sexuality, with little sense of the need for apology or change. [Link]

Freedom to Marry salutes Rev. Albert Pennybacker as a Voice for Equality! Learn about other Voices for Equality here.

If Rev. Pennybacker's support inspires you - get involved.

**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!

Majorities polled in D.C. back Freedom to Marry

The Washington Post
February 7, 2010
A new poll shows District of Columbia residents are generally supportive of the progressive, activist social agenda being pursued by the D.C. Council, putting their stamp of approval on efforts by government leaders to enact policies like the freedom to marry while Democrats control Congress. [Link]

Upcoming INFORUM program on Marriage Equality: State vs. Fed

The Commonwealth Club
February 2, 2010
INFORUM, a division of The Commonwealth Club and the leading platform for provocative dialogue and debate on critical issues relevant to people in their 20s and 30s, will be hosting a program focusing on the freedom to marry. There will be a discussion featuring Molly McKay,
Jennifer Morse and Therese Stewart on what is being done in this area at both state and federal levels, along with what might be done in the future. Details and tickets here.

Location: San Francisco Commonwealth Club Office
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Time: 6 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program, 7:30 p.m. book signing and reception
Cost: $12 members, $20 for non-members $7 students (with valid ID)

The Van Capelle Legacy

Gay City News
February 4, 2010
Under the leadership of Alan Van Capelle, the Empire State Pride Agenda became a powerful force in Albany. He skillfully led the gay lobbying group and showed the same savvy in leaving it. Yet his resignation is a win-win move — for the LGBT community and the new city comptroller. [Link]

Freedom to Marry puts Mexico City at Center of Debate

The New York Times
February 6, 2010
A new Mexico City law goes into effect March 4 that will honor the marriages of gay couples and allow them to adopt children, propelling the city to the forefront of the global gay rights movement. [Link]

A Conservative Case for the Freedom to Marry

Ponderings on a Faith Journey
February 2, 2010
Pastor Bob Cornwall of Disciples of Christ comments on Ted Olson's pro-marriage equality piece from Newsweek in January: "He offers moral, legal, and societal reasons. It is a matter of civil rights, fairness, and ultimately honesty... The fact that individuals who happen to be gay want to share in this vital social institution [marriage] is evidence that conservative ideals enjoy widespread acceptance. Conservatives should celebrate this, rather than lament it. [Link]

Podcast: Liz Saint John talks with Evan Wolfson about the freedom to marry

Sunday Magazine - KLLC, KITS, KMVQ and KFRC-AM San Francisco
February 7, 2010
Liz Saint John talks with Evan Wolfson, Founder and Executive Director of Freedom to Marry, about the ongoing discussions and court battles over gay couples' right to marry. [Link]

Video: Voice for Equality, Sarah Silverman on the Freedom to Marry

The View
February 4, 2010
When asked if she had any marriage plans, Freedom to Marry's Voice for Equality, Sarah Silverman spoke out in favor of marriage equality: "If you're for equal rights, why would you get married right now?" [Link]

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Readers Angry About Florida's Ban on Adoption by Gay Couples

Orlando Sentinel
February 5, 2010
Scott Maxwell writes about the responses he received regarding a column he wrote about Florida's ban on adoption by gay and lesbian couples. "Most readers said they were sick and tired of the extremists putting politics ahead of children." [Link]

Video Voice for Equality Update: Meghan McCain on The View

The View February 4, 2010
Meghan McCain talks about her participation - and her mother's recent photo shoot - supporting the NoH8 Campaign in California which opposes the ban on the freedom to marry. [Link]

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Voice for Equality Update: Saints Linebacker, Scott Fujita

The Advocate
February 3, 2010
While New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita, one of Freedom to Marry's Voices for Equality, was gearing up for Super Bowl XLIV, he spoke to The Advocate about standing up for gay rights and against inequality. Commenting on another Voice for Equality from the NFL, Brendan Ayanbadejo, Fujita said:

I thought what Brendan wrote was incredibly insightful, thought-provoking, and completely on point. And many people would call it courageous. But if Brendan's like me, I don't know if he'd consider what we've done all that courageous. We have strong feelings about equal rights, and to me, expressing those feelings isn't courageous, it's the right thing to do. I think there will be a third player who expresses support for gay marriage ... and a fourth player, and a fifth, and so on. [Link]

Now Available: Federal Prop 8 Trial Reenactment, Day 1

MarriageTrial.com
February 4, 2010
John Ireland and the folks at MarriageTrial.com have delivered the first day (3 chapters) of testimony in their word-for-word reenactment of the Prop 8 Trial. Coverage features an overview of each day's proceedings, a first-hand account from the trial and photos of all participants in the trial along with the actors who are portraying them. Each chapter is about an hour in length. [Link]

Utah Senator challenges District's freedom to marry law

The Washington Post
February 4, 2010
Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah) has introduced legislation that would require Washington, D.C. to put marriage equality up for a vote by residents. The legislation is similar to that introduced by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) in the House. [Link]

Prop 8 Trial draws "friend of the court" briefs

The Associated Press
February 4, 2010
A large number of groups and individuals in support of both the plaintiffs and the defendant-intervenors in the Proposition 8 trial submitted amicus briefs on Wednesday, the deadline that Chief U.S. Judge Vaughn R. Walker had set for filing briefs. [Link]

Voice for Equality: Rev. James Forbes

The Reverend James Forbes is the Senior Minister Emeritus of the Riverside Church, an interdenominational (American Baptist and United Church of Christ) church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City. He was the first African American minister to lead this multicultural congregation, and served it for 18 years. On June 1, 2007, after 18 years of service, Forbes officially retired from this position to become president of the Healing of the Nations Foundation, a national ministry of healing and spiritual revitalization. Forbes hosts the radio program The Time Is Now, which airs weekends on the Air America Radio network. Learn more here.

Rev. Forbes is a proud signer of Freedom to Marry's Marriage Resolution which reads:

Because marriage is a basic human right and an individual choice, RESOLVED, the State should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of civil marriage.

Visit the Marriage Resolution page on our website and sign the Marriage Resolution today!

Freedom to Marry salutes James Forbes as a Voice for Equality! Learn about other Voices for Equality here.

If Rev. Forbes' support inspires you - get involved.

**Make your NOMINATION for a Voice for Equality today!

Michael Crawford to join Freedom to Marry as Director of New Media

Metro Weekly

February 3, 2010
Michael Crawford, co-founder of DC for Marriage and chair of the organization during its fight for marriage equality in the District, announced last week that he would leave Washington for New York City, where he'll serve as director of new media for Freedom to Marry. Freedom to Marry Executive Director, Evan Wolfson said, ''I have worked with Michael on the fight to win marriage in [D.C.], and have really admired the work he's done, particularly in raising the visibility of African-American families and voices in support of marriage.'' [Link]

Wanted: A Church That Listens

On Faith (Newsweek)

February 3, 2010

The Arcus Foundation's Tom Kam writes about how he thinks Catholics should react to the hostile attitude that many Catholic leaders have towards LGBT people: "We must challenge the words and actions of the leadership of our Church and acknowledge the great wrong that is being done. In doing so, we must remember that we speak as good and faithful Catholics bearing witness to God's call to truth and justice." [Link]

Video: Harold Ford Jr. on 'The Colbert Report'

The Wall Street Journal

February 2, 2010

Harold Ford Jr., who is considering a primary challenge against incumbent Democratic New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, appeared Monday night on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report where the host joked about the former Tennessee lawmaker’s newfound New York residency and his contortions on the freedom to marry:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Harold Ford Jr.
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Economy

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